Ricochet

Ricochet
emerged in the spring of 1996 to become one of the most successful
new country groups of the year, spending the better part of the
year in the Top 40 of the country charts. Ricochet formed
in 1993, when drummer Jeff Bryant asked guitarist Heath Wright
(lead singer/lead guitarist) to join his band Lariat, which also
featured Bryant's brother Junior (fiddle/Mandolin). After Wright
joined Lariat, the group quickly disbanded, but the Bryants and
Heath decided to give it another try under the name of Ricochet.
The trio held a series of auditions to complete the band and several
members floated through the band in the ensuing months. By the
beginning of 1994, the final lineup had fallen into place. In
addition to Heath Wright (lead singer/lead guitarist), Jeff Bryant
(drums), and Junior Bryant (fiddle, mandolin, backing vocals),
the group featured Greg Cook (bass, backing vocals), Teddy Carr
(steel guitar), and Eddie Kilgallon (keyboards, rhythm guitar,
saxophone, backing vocals). For the next two years, Ricochet toured
the south and the west coast, building up a fan base and developing
its energetic, edgy neo-traditional sound. They would often spend
their down time rehearsing and writing songs. The group's original
manager was friends with record producer Ron
Chancey, who was known for his work with the
Oak Ridge Boys. Chancey heard the group and arranged for the
band to cut a demo. Chancey directed the tape to his son Blake,
who was the A&R director for Columbia Records in Nashville. After
hearing the group live, Blake and a handful of other Columbia
executives decided to sign Ricochet
to a development deal under the direction of producer Ed Seay
(Martina McBride, Colin Raye.) In early 1995, the deal turned
into a full-fledged record contract. During the spring, the group
recorded their debut album. For the rest year, they toured the
country as a supporting act for Merle Haggard, Doug Stone and
Charlie Daniels. Produced by Ron Chancey and
Ed Seay, Ricochet's eponymous debut album was released
in early 1996. Preceded by the number three hit single "What Do
I Know," the album was a hit and stayed on the charts for most
of the rest of 1996. --